The opening of the new refugee resettlement housing unit in Whanganui marks a step forward in New Zealand’s commitment to offer a safe home for families fleeing war and persecution, Green MP and refugee Golriz Ghahraman said today.

“They will remember their first days of safety and freedom in Whanganui, forever.

“I know my family and I will never forget the warmth and security when we first arrived and settled in West Auckland. I'm so excited for all the new friendships and enriching experiences that Whanganui will share with these new arrivals.

The Minister for Climate Change has welcomed new New Zealand-led research that warns of more “dangerous and unpredictable” weather in the future if the world doesn’t get more serious about climate change action.

“This research explores what could happen with ice melts occurring at both polar caps and paints a disturbing picture of what our world will be like if we fail to act,” says James Shaw.

New research highlights the importance of New Zealand’s wetlands for one of our most secretive native birds, the Australasian bittern or matuku, Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said today on World Wetlands Day.

GPS tracking of matuku/bittern has, for the first time, revealed that this threatened swamp dweller flies more than 300 km between wetlands in the eastern South Island as well as large distances between North Island wetland sites. Previously it was thought bittern ranged only small distances from their home wetlands.

Edward Ellison is the new Chairperson of the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA), Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today.

A sheep farmer on the Otago Peninsula, Mr Ellison has previously served on the NZCA, Otago Conservation Board, Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Board, the South-East Marine Protection Forum and the Otago University Council.

Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson will be speaking at the annual Waihopai spy base demonstration this Saturday January 26, protesting against international spying which puts the human rights and privacy of global citizens at risk.

“The Waihopai spy base represents a worrying culture of spying that is dangerous to society. There would be outrage if the state or corporations reached into our letter box and opened up our mail, why is it okay online?” Green Co-leader Marama Davidson said today.

The Green Party welcome the National Party to the drug law reform conversation, with Paula Bennett announced today as the party’s spokesperson on the issue.

“We welcome the National party turning its attention to the issue and look forward to a productive, considered, and evidence based debate to reduce harm in our communities, and as we move towards the referendum” Green Party drug law reform spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick said today.